Magneto generator



Jan. 4, 1938. w. J. SPENGLER I 2,104,140

MAGNETO GENERATOR Filed Nov. 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 4, 1938. w JSPENGLER 2,104,140

MAGNETO GENERATOR Filed Nov. 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Made/"dfipe/gler ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 4, 1938 PATENT OFFICTE MAGNETO GENERATOR Walter J.Spengler, Sidney, N. Y., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation,- SouthBend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application November 29, 1935,Serial No. 52,219

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to magneto generators and moreparticularly to high tension generators of the type used for ignition ofinternal combustion engines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel magnetogenerator which is highly efficient and reliable in operation over longperiods of use.

It is a further object to provide such a device in which a. separateoil-tight housing is provided for the gearing which operates thedistributor rotor.

It is another object to provide such a device embodying a novel casingstructure which completely shields the magneto to prevent interferencewith radio signals, but which may be readily taken apart to permitdisassembly of the magneto.

It is a further object to provide such a device in which an integraldistributor and terminal block is housed in a section of the casingwhich may be removed and replaced as a unit.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the parts of theshielding casing so interfit and wedge together that retention of onepart thereof serves to unify the entire assembly.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a magneto embodying a preferred form ofthe invention with I certain parts thereof partly disassembled;

Fig. 2 is a vertical substantially midsectional view of such a magnetowith the cable outlet arranged vertically;

Fig. 3 is a detail showing the parts of the compressible conductingmeans for connecting the output terminal of the coil to the rotor arm ofthe distributor; and

Fig. 4 is a-vertical section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig.2.

Referring first to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated amagneto comprising a frame I of non-magnetic metal such as an aluminumalloy. A rotor 2 comprising permanent magnetic elements 3 is suitablyjournalled in the casing l as by means of bearings 4 and 5 and carriesat one end a splined sleeve 6 projecting from the casing to receive acoupling element for driving the rotor. Said rotor is provided at itsother end with a cam element 1 adapted to operate a breaker mechanismindicated generally by numeral 8.

A distributor rotor 9 is journalled in an upwardly extending portion IIof the frame I in parallel relation with the rotor 2. As here shown,this is accomplished by means of a stub shaft I2 having a flange I3suitably attached to the rotor as indicated at l4, and formed to receivea bearing I5 mounted in a partition wall I6 of the frame section II.

A gear I1 is suitably fixed on the end of stub shaft l2 as indicated atI8, and is arranged to mesh with a gear I9 keyed to the rotor 2 as shownat 2| and retained thereon by the sleeve 6. The arm 22 of thedistributor rotor 9 is thus caused to rotate in timed relation with themagnetic rotor 2.

An oil-tightcover 23 is provided for completing a closed chamber for thegears I1, I9, and this chamber is rendered oil-tight by suitable packingmeans 24 and 25 for the bearing 4 and splined sleeve 6 respectively, andsealing element 26 for the bearing I5 of stub shaft l2. A drain 2! ispreferably provided in the frame I to carry off any lubricant whichmightseep through the packing 24.

The frame I has formed therein magnetic pole pieces 28 cooperating withthe poles 3 of the magnetic rotor, and the pole pieces 28 are connectedin a closed magnetic circuit by means of suitable laminated magneticmaterial 29 and the core 3| of an induction coil 32. The ungroundedprimary terminal 33 of the coil is connected by a conductor 34 to thebreaker mechanism 8, the ungrounded end of the secondary of the coilbeing brought out to an output terminal 35.

According to the present invention, a generally circular distributorblock and terminal member 35 is mounted between the coil 32 and thedistributor-rotor 9. This block is provided with a centrally arrangedcompressible conducting means indicated generally at 3'! traversing theblock axially, and a circumferential series of contacts 38 (Fig. 4).Contacts 38 are provided with connecting and anchoring means 39 foroutput cables 4| arranged to enter openings 42 in the distributor block.The distributor rotor is provided with an arm 22 having a centralcontact .element 43 cooperating with one end of the conducting means 31,and a radial contact element 44 arranged to cooperate in sequence withcontacts 38 of the distributor block.

In order that the distributor block may be 50 removed and assembledconveniently by vertical movement thereof between the distributor rotor9 and the coil 32, the conducting means 31 is made compressible as bestshown in Figs. 2 and 3. As here shown, the distributor block has ametallic sleeve 65 molded therein and provided with internal shouldersit, it and lt. A solid metallic contact element 69 is slidably mountedin one end of the cylinder 45 with a portion 55 projecting therefrom andhaving a shoulder or adapted to engage the shoulder at of the sleeve tolimit outward movement of the contact ele-- ment. A second contactelement is provided in the other end or" the sleeve ib having resilienttongues {at terminating in shoulders 55 adapted to engage shoulder 68 ofthe sleeve to limit outward movement thereof. A spring at is providedfor yieldably pressing the contact elements outward.

In assembling this device, the contact element 69 is first inserted inthe sleeve 65, followed by the spring 58. Tongues til of contact element53 are then compressed and the contact element pushed in until theshoulders 55 spring out back of the shoulder 58 of the sleeve 55,whereupon the parts are held in operative position. When the distributorblock is in position, the contact elements it and 53 are yieldablypressed by the spring 56 against the contact 53 of the distributor armand the terminal 35 of the coil 32 respectively.

According to the present invention, a sectional casing element ofnon-magnetic metal is provided for the distributor block as best shownin Fig. 1. This casing element is composed of two halves 51 and 58 whichmay be clamped upon the distributor block as by means of bolts 59, andare formed to interfit with a flange tion the portion I I of frame iwhereby the distributor block with its casing section is removable as aunit from the magneto, but when in position closely interflts with theframe of the magneto. This casing section may be formed to lead thecables out vertically as shown in Fig. 1 or horizontally as shown inFig. 2.

A casing section 62 (Fig. 1) of non-magnetic metal for the coil 32 isprovided having a flange 63 arranged to fit in a groove Mon the adjacentedge of the casing 51, 58 for the distributor block, and is providedwith a second flange 65 arranged to interflt with an upwardly extendingflange 66 of the frame I. The casing section 62 is formed somewhatwedge-shaped, that is the angle between the flanges 63 and 65 isconsiderably less than aright angle, and the flange 56 of the frame iscorrespondingly inclined upward so that pressure applied downwardly onthe casing section 62 causes it to wedge itself between the flange 65 ofthe frame and the casing elements 51, 58 for the distributor block.

Unitary retaining means for applying pressure to the casing element 62is provided in the form of a clamping strap 61 pivotally anchored to theframe as shown at68 and provided with a suitable tightening meansindicated at 69.

It will be seen that there is here provided a completely radio-shieldedmagneto in which the transmission elements may run in oil in-aseparately sealed compartment, and the coil and distributorparts arereadily accessible for observation or service. All that is necessary tosecure access to the coil is to loosen the single fastening means 69 andswing the strap 61 out of the way, whereupon the casing section 62 isreadily removed. The distributor block in its casing and with the outputcables assembled may then be removed as a unit by simply sliding itupward from its seat on the frame. Reassembly is readparts arecompletely unified by the single detachable retaining means til, 69.

m the operation of the device, rotation of the magnetic rotor 2 inducescurrent in theprimary of coil 32 which is controlled by the breakermechanism 8 as actuated by the cam i. The consequent secondary currentemerging at the output terminal oi the coil is led through theconducting means ill to the rotor arm 22 from whence it is led to thecontacts in sequence, and is conducted from thence by the cables at tothe spark plugs of the engine for which the device furnishes theignition. It will be understood that sufiicien't lubricant may beintroduced in the chamber for the gearing ll, it to permit operationthereof over long periods of time without the necessity of service ofany kind.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail, it will be understood that various changes may bemade in the design and arrangements of the parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A magneto generator including a magnet rotor, a distributor rotor,gearing connecting said rotors, a distributor block, a coil, a metalliccasing for said rotors, a casing section for the distributor block and acasing section for said coil, said sections so interfitting that onecasing section acts as a retainer for the other parts of the casing.

2. A magneto generator including a magnet rotor, a distributor rotor,gearing connecting said rotors, a distributor block, a coil, a metalliccasing for said rotors, a casing section for the distributor block and acasing section for said coil, said sections so interfltting with eachother and with the casing for the rotors that one casing section acts asa retainer for the other parts of the casing, and unitary means forholding said casrotors, a distributor block, a coil, a metallic casingfor said rotors, a casing section for the distributor block and awedge-shaped casing section for said coil, said sections so interflttingwith each other and with the casing for the rotors that the casingsection for the coil when assembled wedges the remaining parts of thecasing in assembled position and cooperates therewith to form a completeenclosure and shield for the magneto.

5. In a magneto generator a magnet rotor, a distributor rotor, gearingconnecting said rotors, a housing for said rotors and gearingincluding achamber for the gearing and means to prevent the escape of lubricantfrom said chamber.

6. In a magneto generator a magnet rotor, a distributor rotor, gearingconnecting said rotors, a housing for said rotors and gearing includinga partition separating the gearing from said rotors, bearings in saidpartition for supporting said gearing and rotors, and means forpreventing passage of lubricant through said partition.

7. In a magneto generator a frame having an opening defined by flangesformed to provide a seat for a casing element, a unitary distributorblock and cable connector, a casing element surrounding said block. andmeans including a wedge-shaped casing section for locking thedistributor casing unit in place on said seat.

8. In a magneto generator a frame, having an opening defined by flangesformed to provide a seat for a casing element, a unitary distributorblock and cableconnector, a splitcasing surrounding said block andclamped thereon to form a unit adapted to be received by the seat onsaid frame, and a casing section formed to interflt with the frame andthe distributor casing unit and wedge the distributor unit into its seaton the frame.

9. In a magneto generator a frame having an opening defined by flangesformed to provide a seat for a casing element, a generally circularunitary distributor block and cable connector, a casing unit surroundingthe periphery of said block, and means including a wedge-shaped casingsection for locking the distributor casing unit in' place and completingthe shielding of the magneto.

10. In a magneto generator a high tension coil, a distributor rotor, aunitary distributor and cable terminal blocklocated between the coil andthe rotor, a'conductor mounted in the terminal block connecting the coilto the distributor rotor, and a set of contacts in the terminal blockarranged to periodically receive current from the rotor, said blockhaving means for admitting output cables through its periphery andanchoring and connecting them to the contacts.

11. In' a magneto generator a high tension coil, a distributor rotorhaving a radial arm, a generally circular unitary-distributor and cableterminal block located between the coil and the rotor, a conductortraversing the terminal block connecting the coil -through the center ofthe block to the distributor-arm. and a set of conacts in the terminalblock arranged to periodicables laterally through its periphery andanchoring and connecting them to the contacts, said conducting meansbeing collapsible to permit lateral insertion of the block between therotorand coil.

,13. In a magneto generator, a frame of nonmagnetic metal, a magneticrotor journalled therein, a distributor rotor journalled in said frame,means including gearing for driving the distributor rotor from themagnetic rotor, housing means of non-magnetic metal cooperating with theframe to provide an oil-tight chamber for the gearing, a distributorterminal block, a casing section for housing the same, a high tensioncoil, a casing section for housing said coil, means for conductingcurrent from said coil through the distributor block to the distributorrotor, and means for preventing escape of lubricant from said chamberinto said casing sections, said casing sections and said housing meanscooperating with said frame to completely enclose and shield theelements of the magneto.

14. A magneto generator including a frame, a magnetic rotor, adistributor rotor mounted therein, gearing for driving the distributorrotor from the magnetic rotor, an oil-tight housing for enclosing thegearing, a coil, a distributor terminal block, and easing sections forthe coil and block removable as units therewith, said frame, housing andcasing sections so interfltting as to enclose and shield the elements ofthe magneto.

WALTER J. SPENGLER.

